ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan announced its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously stated that the team's participation in the global tournament depended on the decision of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He had even threatened a boycott of the World Cup. However, the PCB has now announced the team.
Significant changes have been made to the team compared to the previous T20 World Cup in 2024. With a new captain, a new coach, and several new faces, Pakistan has taken a step towards the future. The Pakistan T20 World Cup squad, announced on January 25, 2026, includes six players who will be making their T20 World Cup debut.
The captaincy responsibility this time rests on the shoulders of Salman Ali Agha, while New Zealander Mike Hesson will be the team's coach. The players making their T20 World Cup debut include Salman Ali Agha, Fahim Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafe (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), and Usman Tariq. The team selected for this World Cup indicates that Pakistan is placing its trust in young and new talent.
Looking at the team for the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan was led by Babar Azam and coached by Gary Kirsten. The squad included experienced players like Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, both of whom have now retired from international cricket. Interestingly, Amir and Imad had come out of retirement specifically for the T20 World Cup 2024, although their performance didn't live up to expectations. Just six months after the World Cup, in December 2024, both players announced their retirement from cricket once again.
In addition, players like Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf, who were key members of the 2024 T20 World Cup team, have not been included in this squad. However, experienced players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Fakhar Zaman are still part of the team. Overall, this Pakistani team looks significantly different from the one that played in the last World Cup. It will be interesting to see how this revamped team performs in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Pakistan are slotted in Group A alongside co-hosts and defending champions India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia. The 2009 champions will kickstart their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup Group Fixtures
v Netherlands: February 7, Colombo
v USA: February 10, Colombo
v India: February 15, Colombo
v Namibia: February 18, Colombo.
